Has a gap in pension contributions affected you financially?

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I cover topics related to the Swiss Abroad and Swiss specialities, also producing a daily briefing for the Swiss Abroad community. I studied communication sciences, then worked as a reporter and video journalist for private radio and television. I have worked for SWI swissinfo.ch in various roles since 2002.

Deutsch

Haben Sie eine AHV-Beitragslücke? Welche Folgen hatte diese für Ihre Rente oder Ihre finanzielle Situation? Original
Français

Avez-vous dû interrompre pour un temps vos cotisations à l’AVS? Quelles en ont été les conséquences sur votre rente ou votre situation financière?
Italiano

Avete una lacuna contributiva all’AVS? Quali conseguenze ha avuto sulla vostra pensione o sulla vostra situazione finanziaria?
Português

Você teve que interromper temporariamente o pagamento das suas contribuições para o AVS? Quais foram as consequências disso para a sua aposentadoria ou para a sua situação financeira?

Are you affected by gaps in your old-age pension (AHV/AVS) contribution? What consequences did it have for your pension or your financial situation?

If you prefer, we will treat your feedback confidentially. You can also contact us by email: swissabroad@swissinfo.ch

Moving abroad

Swiss state pensions abroad and what you need to know

This content was published on Apr 8, 2023 How can I claim my state pension abroad? Can I still make voluntary contributions from outside Switzerland? Answers to some FAQs.

Bàr 2026-05-07 15:43

The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

As I couldn’t find a suitable job in Switzerland any longer, I emigrated to France at the age of 57, where I helped oversee the renovation of our farmhouse. My husband continued to work in Switzerland, so we assumed that contributions would continue to be paid into my AHV account from his salary. Far from it! We knew, of course, that I could no longer make personal contributions (why, actually?), but the fact that my husband’s contributions were no longer possible either really took us aback. The result: a lifelong reduction in my pension.

Da ich in der Schweiz keine passende Stelle mehr fand, bin ich mit 57 Jahren nach Frankreich ausgewandert, wo ich den Umbau unseres Bauernhauses mitgestaltet habe. Mein Mann war weiterhin in der Schweiz tätig und wir haben deshalb angenommen, dass von seinem Gehalt weiterhin auf mein AHV Konto gebucht werde. Weit gefehlt! Wir wussten zwar, dass ich persönlich nicht mehr einzahlen konnte (warum eigentlich?) aber dass auch die Beiträge meines Mannes nicht mehr möglich waren, hat uns schon vor den Kopf gestoßen. Resultat: lebenslange Rentenkürzung.

Has a gap in pension contributions affected you financially?

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Swiss state pensions abroad and what you need to know

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